LORY Philippe

Research subject

Our research activity is dedicated to the study of the properties of voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav) and sodium leak channels (NALCN). These ion channels are critically involved in the electrophysiological activity of excitable cells, especially neurons. Neurological diseases including epilepsy, migraine, ataxia, neuropathic pain, autism … can be linked to dysfunction of these channels and are called ‘channelopathies’.

Our current projects aim to characterize how these ion channels are involved in physiology and pathophysiology. We are particularly interested in deciphering the various aspects on the Cav and NALCN regulation. To do this we develop various complementary strategies, including mass spectrometry and patch-clamp techniques. A special effort is given to characterize how T-type calcium channels are modulated by endogenous ligands (lipids, zinc, phosphorylation …). We also investigate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the calcium channelopathies (e.g. epilepsy and ataxia). In the long run, we would like to identify novel approaches to treat neurological diseases based on our knowledge of the basic properties of these channels and of the channelopathy mechanisms.

Our team is part of the Laboratory of Excellence "Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics" (LabEx ICST).